Martin and Peter prove that they are up to the Challenge

Completing his 12th marathon since April, Anderson fought off an existing hamstring injury to finish the demanding route in 5 hours and 45 minutes. Tucker, in his sixth marathon in four months, also safely completed the course.

For a midweek challenge, 11 Harriers went to Harpenden to take part in an invitational 5K run organised by Harpenden Arrows Running Club. The off-road route started and finished in Rothamsted Park in Harpenden and had 70 entrants from six local clubs.

The Harriers put on a great performance, taking six of the top 10 places. First back for GVH was Mikey Ferris in second place overall (first in SM category) in 18:16.87. Right behind Ferris was Scott Dixon in 18:28.78, John Lawler 18:47.47, Ed Price 19:12.95, Julian Smith 19:33.97, Guy Woollett 19:38.34, Vince Ellerby 20:15.75 (first in MV50 category), Gemma Bitaraf (first in SW category) 20:37.36, Kathleen Courtier 21:59.84, Sian Hibbs 22:06.88 and Dave Wise 23:32.82.

Nearing the end of the first Gade Valley Harriers ‘Learn to Run’ course, a host of new runners travelled to the Black Park parkrun to test out their new skills.

Running with the leaders of the course – Ed Price, Gemma Bitaraf and Karis Thomas – the new runners enjoyed the fine weather and trails on the 5k route.

First back for GVH was men’s captain Price in 19:01, followed by women’s captain Bitaraf in 20:14, Andrew Terry 28:19, Helen Terry 32:01, William Terry, 32:04, Nikki Richardson in 33:15, Karis Thomas in 33:16 and Niki Swan in 37.16..

Closer to home at the Gadebridge parkrun, six Harriers flew the GVH colours on Saturday.

First home for the Harriers was Anthony Willcox in 21:51 (PB), followed by James Birnie in 23:25. Next back came James Thomson in 23:28, Sam Tucker 27:03, Veronika Bartalska 31:10 and Lesley Jugoo 35:50.

Over in Aylesbury, GVH had Andy Norton and Johnny Broom representing the club, with Norton coming back first in a new PB of 19:37 and Broom in 21:53.

Tom North was at his home parkrun at Tring, where he came back in third overall place in 20:03.

Mark Crabtree from the Harriers competed at the Delamere parkrun in Cheshire, where he stormed home in fourth place overall in 17:18.

St Albans parkrun had Oliver Brown from GVH in action, where he came home in 33:17.